Geo-Spatial Analysis of the Number of Active Fuel Supply Equipment Registered in Oregon under the Clean Fuels Program
Presentation Time: Mon, 12/04/2023 - 14:30
Keywords: Clean Fuels Program, Fuel Supply Equipment, Alternative Fuels, Spatial Correlation Analysis, Sustainable Transportation, Low Carbon Fuels
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) launched the Clean Fuels Program (CFP) in 2016 that primarily focuses on reducing emissions from transportation fuels such as diesel and gasoline. The program has set standards to reduce the carbon intensity of these fuels by 10% in 2025, 20% in 2030, and 37% in 2035. Within the CFP framework, "Fuel Supply Equipment" (FSE) is the umbrella term for various equipment that dispense alternative fuels, from electric vehicle chargers to hydrogen fueling stations and propane dispensers. Credit Generators, i.e., providers of natural gas, propane, electricity, and hydrogen, must register such equipment to accurately report the fuel dispensed and consequently generate credits. This research investigates the relationship of the active FSEs registered under the Oregon CFP and Oregon’s demographics, such as population, housing units, and employer establishments. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical methodologies, this study analyzes data from 2016 through September 30, 2023, at both state and county levels. It found a high concentration of active FSEs in counties along the U.S. Interstate Highway 5 (I-5). Spatial autocorrelation analyses revealed a positive correlation between active FSEs and demographics in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The analysis reveals that counties with higher populations, more housing units, and more commercial establishments are likely to have more active FSEs, contributing to the achievement of the state's emission reduction goals.
